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Fear getting old as an autistic person?

Dawn

I do.

I really do. My sensory stuff causes mayhem in medical contexts. There's more as you get older. My GP thinks I "suffer with autism" (God help me!). I fear all medical treatment. I fear all doctor's appointments. How the Hell do I even speak to them when something is wrong.

The only services that exist are for the intellectually impaired or children.

Where do I go? What do I do?

I fear every tiny twinge in my body.

I fear being locked up in an old peoples' home, forced to socialised in bingo games I do not want to participate in; forced to bang a tambereen while a school choir sings.

I fear being left to the mercy of under paid staff in a care home where the state robs you of a life time of struggle which should be left to your kid, while they squander that abusing you.

In the words of The Who: "Hope I die before I get old"

At 58 I am aware that I have already out lived autistic life expectancy. That's 54. I was 56 when diagnosed. I am happy I lived life as an autistic person (albeit I had no idea I was one), but how the Hell do you manage to grow old as an autistic person?

I'm scared. And I am still looking after elderly parents who depend on me and haven't even retired myself yet.

Everything about old age is scary. And I'm scared.

Parents

  • It must be difficult looking after your elderly parents.

    I don't find medical things easy either and find it more of a concern as I get older.

    On the statistics, I think my father was autistic and he lived into his 80s. 

    I have spent quite a bit of time thinking about the future over the last few years and worrying. I am now trying where possible to enjoy anything I can now and block it out of my mind until I need to think about it again.

Reply

  • It must be difficult looking after your elderly parents.

    I don't find medical things easy either and find it more of a concern as I get older.

    On the statistics, I think my father was autistic and he lived into his 80s. 

    I have spent quite a bit of time thinking about the future over the last few years and worrying. I am now trying where possible to enjoy anything I can now and block it out of my mind until I need to think about it again.

Children
  • in reply to Homebird

    Pretty much my approach when I was younger. Don't think about health and health worries are not there - until they are.

    My body scares me witless several times a day now and I cannot get into the GPs surgery.

    The GPs don't get it. They think I "suffer" with autism, but they are looking into how to help me get in there to examine me. At least this surgery is trying.

    Pretty sure my mother has significant traits if not actually autistic and she's frail now, but 82. On the other hand, I had a cousin pass in her 50s who I suspect might have been.